Grey woolen shorts. Are they ok?

Karin L H

I have a pair of grey woolen shorts that I 'be had for years but rarely wear. I think they're ok, but maybe not super fab. Tried on an outfit that I thought I could wear for work tomorrow (very casual place, no dress code whatsoever).

What do you think? Are they ok? With scarf or not? Any other ideas how I could style them to make it a bit more interesting?

As always, thank you so much for any comments!

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9 years ago

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Karin L H

Veteran

Hi Karin!

I have a pair of grey wool shorts that I love, so I had to click on your post. I really like how you styled them here; I think the scarf option balances the opaque black tights better. Without the scarf, I think I'd like to see a slightly lighter hose, to play better with the blouse. I really like the playful boho vibe you have going on!

To my eye, they're quite short for the office, but I realise that all workplaces are different, so you're the best judge of that.

9 years ago

Karin L H

Veteran

Thanks E! How fun that we are woollen short twins Thanks for your ideas! I'll wear them with the scarf as it's still quite cold here so I need a thicker pair of tights. And the length should be ok, it's not a very conservative place... And I'm Swedish, maybe that makes a difference too! Seeing as I'm not working in a bank or something similar.

9 years ago

Deb

Veteran

I love a short that is short....these are a nice length and colour and suit you well. The scarf relates nicely with the wool fabric of the shorts and adds to the look. You could try a light weight crew neck knit or a leather top or a darker top with them also perhaps.

9 years ago

Veteran

It got cold here again too (I'm in upstate NY; it's 18F/-8C today), so I understand needing heavier tights! I'll have to style up my shorts during our next warmer period. I'm excited to see another user with boho leanings posting! And how neat that you're in Sweden; I think work dressing in the US is very different from northern Europe. At least, that's based on watching shows like Borgen.

9 years ago

Karin L H

Veteran

Thank you DEB! I have a dark navy top and cardigan that might work with this... Think they're in the wash though so I'll try them next time I want to wear the shorts! Thanks for the idea!

Great that you watch Borgen E! I actually haven't seen it myself, but another recommendation is "Bron". Very good! And yes, style wise it probably does differ a bit... Depending on where you work at least. I'm doing a PhD in the university in my home town, so share a hall with other PhDs, professors, and everything inbetween. Everyone's very different and there's no "code", which I'm very happy about!

How do you style your shorts E? Would love to see some pics!

9 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I know it's not practical to say things like, oh, add this or that, which you may not have, but I like this look best with a tonal gray tight since shorts are both, well, short, and divided, so there is a lot of breaking up of lower proportions.
May not be your priority, though, to collect a specific look. I think the tonal gray, even to tonal footwear in gray or camel or something, make the shorts look more ensemble-ish and cozy-wintry than just shorts worn over tights, even if they are wool fabric.

9 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I'm going to be the spanner here and say that I don't think the style of the shorts and the style of the outfit go together. IMO, shorter, more fitted shorts like this are strictly summer-casual, but the fabric on these makes them a fall version. But the style doesn't go with the fabric because fall shorts should be longer, looser and have a more substantial cuff on them to be worn with tights. But I love the top!

9 years ago

Veteran

I popped back through my WIW posts & found a few with my grey wool shorts. In order from most recent: one, two, three, and four. I also styled a pair of navy linen shorts for fall (i.e. with tights) here. Although I now live in the north, until last September I lived in south Texas, and shorts were a must for my climate's high summer. So if you look through some of my outfit posts from the summer, you'll see how I style shorts in the heat. (If you're wondering why I always wear long sleeves outside even when it's 40+ C, it's because my arms burn/tan more quickly than my legs, so I prefer to cover them up for extra sun protection. Sunscreen on its own just wasn't enough where I was. I'm hoping now that I don't live as close to the equator, and live in a place with lots of big trees providing shade, I won't have to be so vigilant in this upcoming summer!)

I'll look into Bron; thank you for the recommendation! I have quite a few favourite Scandinavian authors too.

9 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi karin. I love the shorts tights and scarf but would prefer them with a sweater and darker boots. Combats would be great. And I must say that I love The Bridge (as we call it here). Saga is such a fantastic original character. And quite stylish in an offbeat way.

9 years ago

Karin L H

Veteran

Thanks unfrumped for your ideas! I don't have that much to choose from at the moment, neither with tights or shoes, so I try to go with what I have. But those are good ideas!

And thank you Echo too! It's good to get some different perspectives.

E, you absolutely rock your shorts! You look really great. Thanks so much for sharing, it's very inspirational!

Thanks Brooklyn! My black lace up boots just broke down (they were a cheap ebay find so I knew they wouldn't last me that long...). I have a stripey new top that is sort of a sweater (being Swedish I'm not too sure about all the different types of clothing..!), I wonder if that would work? Or maybe the dark navy top and cardigan that I thought of earlier, as DEB suggested a darker colour.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I go for the shorts and stockings look (prefer woolen ones to go with the wool shorts), but I think these look short in the rise or something. They seem to be pulling.

9 years ago

Karin L H

Veteran

Thanks rachylou! Not sure what "pulling" means exactly (I'm Swedish)... I've gained some weight since I bought them, so they might be a bit too tight, is that it?

9 years ago

Liz

Veteran

The pulling rachylou refers to are those diagonal lines/folds on the inner portions of the legs. The folds happen because something is pulling on the fabric, or tugging it out of shape. Usually pulling indicate a fit issue of some kind. With pants / shorts, that can be almost anything -- rise too short, leg shape not cut the way your legs are shaped, etc.

9 years ago

trekkiegirl

Veteran

These are really cute. I'd like to see them with a top tucked in.

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hi Karin!

I feel like the top is a bit too spring-like and lightweight, while the lower half of the outfit is heavier, darker and more wintry. Have you tried a sweater or jacket on top of this?

I see the pulling that others have mentioned too -- it's not easy to see the fit because of the untucked top, but it looks to me like the shorts might be a little snug or a little off in the rise for you. Or it may be that the tights are sticking to the shorts and creating the pulling effect.

9 years ago

Veteran

Agreeing with Janet completely.

9 years ago

Karin L H

Veteran

Good point Janet, I see what you mean! I don't have that many good sweaters to try with it, but I've been thinking about a dark navy top and cardigan that might feel more wintry. I'll try that next time around!

Thanks also for explaining the "pull" effect, Liz and Janet, I see what you mean. I think they looked fairly similar when I bought them a few years, and some pounds, ago, so maybe it's the style of the short? It's not low rise. If I buy new shorts I'll definitely look out for that!

9 years ago

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